Thrashing-machine feeder



April-fs 1924. 1,489,550

S. V. CCCHRANE THRASHING MACHINE FEEDER Filed May s1. 1921 4 sheets-sheet 1 Sanders Y Enhrana A April s 1924. 1,489,520

s. v. COCHRANE THRASHING MACHINE FEEDER F11ed May 31, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 aucun/1f April 8 1924. ,n 1,489,520

S. V. COCHRANE THRASHING MACHINE FEEDER Filed May 5l. 1921 '4 sheets-sheet 5 1 Q gyn/vanto@ April s 1924.l 1,489,520

` v Vs.v.cocHRANE THRASHING MACHINE FEEDER Filed May 5l; 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

M /M 3mm/coz Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

nutren srAras SANDERS V. COCHRANE, OE' HUTCHINSO'N, KANSAS.

THRASHING-MACHNE FEEDER.

Application filed May 31, 1921. Serial No. 473,721.

Be it known that I, SANDnRsV. COCH- RAN-1. a citizen of the United States, resid-y ing at Hutchinson, in the county of Reno and State of Kansas, have Vinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Thrashing-Machine Feeders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates .to improvments in feeding devices for use upon thrashing machines.

The primary object ofthe invention is the provision of a feeding device including the ordinary main conve-yor, and novel lateral conveying means, for conveying nnthreshed grain, or the like, to the thrashing machine in an even, uninterrupted iiow.

A further object of the invention is the provision, of a feeding device of the Vabove described character, Vwhich will do away withclogging, or stopping of a feeder, incident to pitching or depositing of grain laterally thereon. Y Y

Specifically, the invention embodies adjustable lateral conveyors, upwardly mounted of the main conveyors, of a feeder, and feeder extension, and extending in sul stantial parallelV alignment with said main conveyors, for movement in the same direction therewith.

Other objects and advantages'will be apparent during the coursevof the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, Vforming a part of this specificatioinwherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 isa side elevation of a. feeder' and feeder extension, embodying Vthe improved lateral conveyors, operatively connected to a thrashing machine.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross sectional view taken on theV line 2 2 of Figure4 Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view,1 through a feederand feeder extension taken on the line 3-3Vof Figure 2. Y

Figure 4 is a sectional view similarto Figure 2, showing certain other details in side elevation, taken on'the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation partly incross section of a feeder and its connection to a thrashing machine.V` Y

Figure 6 is a 'fragmentary transverse cross section, taken onl the line (if-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a cross section taken'on the line 7-7 of Figure 4. l

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illust-ration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the Vletter A des- K ignates a thrashing ymachine of any approved type, having the feeder device B, and feeder extension'C connected thereto for operation. The feeder, and feeder eX tension, embodies a main conveyor D, and the lateral conveyor means E. y

The thresher A may be of standard type, the same having a power shaft 10 mounted parwardly thereof adjacent to' the feeder engaging lingers or blades 12, staggered thereon, as in standard formation, is rotatably carried bythe feeder B, and adapted for rotation, by a driving belt 13, connected to a suitable pulley 14 on the power shaft 10. A shaft 16, is rotatably carriedby the feeder device B, acent the thrashing machine A, the Ysame having suitable .sprocket wheels 17 thereon for receiving the endlessV mainA conveyor 18. The opposite or lower ends of the main conveyor 18 is operably wound around suitable sprockets 19 on the sliding shaft 20; said shaft 2O being the lower shaft ofthe feeding device B. rlhe main conveyor' 18 is of oridinary construction, the same preferably comprising a plurality of pivotal links, or the same may comprise a belt; it being a requisite of thel conveyor 18, that the same have upstanding article collecting slats 2l, for positively conveying grain thereover.

The feeder B is preferably provided with the side guide portions 25, each 'of said guide portions 25 including a verticallongitudinal'rail 26, and an upwardly diverging arm or guide rail 27,*as in theV ordinary feeder construction. Suitable sheet iron side walls 28, are provided upon each side of the feeder B adjacent the thrashing maf chine A, and for the purpose of connecting said'feeder to the thrashing machine A.VV

The side walls 28 converge inwardly at 29,

for connection to the thrashing machine A,` and for the purpose of guiding the unthreshed grain from the main'conveyor D directly into engagement with the blades 12 of the feeding shaft 11. 2O of the feeder Bis slidably carried at the lower end of the feeder B, by a device to be subsequently described.

The part of the main conveying means A feeding shaft 11,having the grainV The lower shaftV function of the brackets 59 and 65 is the provision of a belt tightening means for adjusting the position of the shafts 20 and 46 of the feeder, and feeder extension respectively. To this end, suitable side flanges 75 haveV been provided outwardly upon Vthe brackets 59 and 65, extending horizontally thereof, to provide suitable slots 76 for the reception of the plates 77 of shaft housings 78. The shaft housings 78 are in sleeve formation, each provided with a plate 77 integral therewith; saidv plate 77 being provided with suitable slots for the reception of a bolt 79.

In order to facilitate entrance of the shaft housings 78 in the brackets 59 and 65, slots or openings 80 are provided from the edges of said brackets. The sleeves 78, are adapted for rotatably receiving the shafts 20 and 46, having ends projecting therefrom, outwardly of the feeder, and feeding extension, for the reception of suitable sprocket wheels 81, keyed or rigidly securedthereto in any approved manner. In this position, the sprockets 73 and 81 lie in substantiallyY vertical alignment fcr the reception of the endless chain 57 of the feeder The chain 62 of the feeder extension C need not be trained over sprocket 81 of shaft 46, as the same is driven from shaft 45, as will be. subsequently set forth. By reason of this slidable arrangement of the shafts 20 and 46, the same can be moved longitudinally of the feeder and feeder extension respectively. The bolts 79 which are rigidly secured in the plates 77, project rearwardly of the bracketsl` 59 and65, and'project from suitable apertures indetachable plates 83; said detachable plates having suitable recesses therein for engagement over projecting ends 84 of the brackets 59 and 65; The plates 83 are rigidly secured to each of the brackets 59 and 65 by bolts 85, engaging the-projections 84. A clamping nut 86 is provided .for en-V gagement over the extending screw threaded end of each bolt 79, whereby upon adjustment of said nut 86, the bolt 79 will reciprocate or slide ,the sleeves 7 8,'in each of the brackets, for adjusting the positions of the 1 shafts 20 or 46.

The brackets 66mounted upon the upper end of the feeder extension C are adapted for mounting exteriorly onthe side rails 39. Each of the brackets 66 include a stub shaft 88 upwardly thereof. rotatably receiving a sprocket 89, for projection upwardly adjacent the topof the guide rails 39. The stub shafts 88 are clamped or otherwise suitably secured in housings 90, cast integral on the bracket 66.V Lower sleeves orhousings 91 are provided upon the brackets 66, for rotatably receiving the shaft 45.V Each end of the shaft projects outwardly from the housings 91 provided therefor, and has Va sprocket wheel 92 keyed or otherwise se- Vthe guide rails.

They 1 ments by bolts 94, or otherwise, to the exterior of the side rails of the feederV and feeder extension. The brackets 60 and 67, are each provided upwardly with a spacing sleeve 95, adapted for receiving a bolt 96, for securely attaching the upper end Vof each of the bracketsto the inclined part of The brackets 60 and 67 are provided upon their lowerorbottom portions, with an apertured extension 97, having an arm 98 detachablyrclamped thereto Y by Vbolt means 99, for various adjustments. Each of the adjustable arms 98 are-provided upon their upper ends 4100` with suitable stub shafts 101, adapted for rotatably receivingy the sprocket wheels 102. y

. The endless conveyor belt of the feeder B is thus wound aboutthe upper and lower sprocket wheels 73, and 81, ofthe bracket 59, and engaging a plurality of the adjustl able sprocket Vwheels 102, throughout t-he length of said feeder vB.` The lateral endless conveyors 55 of the feederrBeXtend forwardly, and yare-returned upon one of the brackets 60, havingV the sprocket wheel 102V thereon. In driving the endless conveyor 55, the shaft 20 supplies power therefor, by reason of thesprocket wheel 81 being keyed to said shaft.

The endless conveyors 62 of the feeder extension C, engageY over thesprocket wheels 89 and 92 of the brackets 66 and are maintained in tightened position by the intermediate adjustable sprocket wheels 102 of the brackets 67. Each endless-'conveyor 62 is merely attached to the bracket65, by the uppermost sprocket wheel 73. In this manner, the driven shaft 45 willV convey the necessary power to operate the lateral con-- veyors 62 of feeder extension C. l

It is preferred that the outer protecting or guardsboards 103, be vertically disposed` to protect the lateral conveyor means E eing maintained in position by the aforementioned bolts 96. clamped to the brackets and 67. v

Suitable spacing sleeves 104, are provided downwardly upon the brackets 60 and 67, and having a bolt 105 extending outwardly therefrom to receive a clamping nut 106, to outwardly V.engage the projecting boards 103.` In this manner, the outside protectors 103 will prevent anyaccidental contactfwithY Y the lateral conveying mechanism, since the 125 same is securely enclosed intermediate the sidevguide rails ,of the feeder .and feedereX- tension. Vandthe sideprotectingv means 103,

In operating, it Vis customary' to. pitch or load the grain over the sides of the feeder or feeder Xtension. '.lhis sometimes results 1n a load of grain merely engaging the top of the side guide rails 25 and Thus, t-he main conveyor l) will not engage the same and more it lengthwise into th thrashing machine. However, with the improved lateral conveying means herein described. the load of grain so pitched upon the side rail will be engaged by the upwardly extending` lugs 58 or 63, and since the lateral conveyors move synchronously with the main conveyor means D, the load of grain will be conveyed into the thrashing machine, independent of the position which the same assumes. y

it is to be noted, that the floors 6l land 64, of the feeder and feeder extension respectively, are disposed downwardly intermediate the guide rails and protectors 103, to provide a groove longitudinally of the feeder, and feeder extension for hiding of the links of the lateral conveyors, leaving mere ly the article engaging lugs 58 and 63 projecting therefrom.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim l. A feeder, comprising in combination a supporting body, main conveying means therein, and adjustable auxiliary conveying means laterally of said main conveying means, and mounted upwardly thereof for movementV in the samedirection therewith.

2. A feeder, comprising in combination a supporting body including upwardly eX'- tending sides to provide a pocket, main conveying means operatively mounted downwardly in said pocket. and conveying means mounted upwardly of said sides outwardly of the pocket on each side of said main conn veying means.

3. A thrashing machine feeding device, comprising in combination a feeder having side guide rails thereon to provide a pocket, main conveying means downwardly mounted in said pocket, and lateral conveying means detachably and adjustably mounted outwardly and upwardly of the main conveying means.

4t. A thrashing machine feeding device, comprising in combination a. feeder and feeder extension, having upwardly and outwardly converging side guide rails, main conveyor means mounted longitudinally of Vsaid :feeder and feeding extension, and lateral endless conveyors mounted outwardly and upwardly of said main conveyor for cooperative movement therewith to forward a load of grain into a thrashing machine.

5. A thrashing machine feeder, comprising'in combination a supporting body, guide rails on said supportingV body, main conveyor means on said body operating between and longitudinally of the guide rails, brackets mounted exteriorlyof said guide rails, sprockets rotatably carried by said brackets, and auxiliary endless conveyor belts laterally of said main conveyor means trained over said sprockets, and engaging a portion of said main conveying means for synchronous movement therewith.

6. A feeder, comprising in combination a supporting body, main conveying means in said supporting body, and lateral conveying means` mounted longitudinally of said mainV conveying means including brackets, sprockets carried by certain of said brackets, adjustable sprockets carried by certain other of said brackets, and an endless conveyor belt engagino said sprockets and a portion of said main conveying means for synchronous movement longitudinally therewith.

7. A grain feeder comprising a supporting body having spaced side rails to provide a pocket, main conveyor means operating longitudinally of and ina plane at the bottom of said pocket provided by the side rails', and auxiliary conveyors operating laterally of the main conveyor and exteriorly of said side rails and pockets provided thereby, said auxiliary conveyors including lugs extend-` ing upwardly of the top surfaces of said side rails.

8. A grain feeder for thrashing machines comprising a supporting body having spaced side rails to provide a pocket and upwardly diverging from the bottom ofsaid pocket, a relatively wide main conveyor operating longitudinally of and in a plane at the bottom of the pocket provided by the side rails, and auxiliary relatively narrow chain conveyors operating laterally of the main conveyor and exteriorly of the side rails of said supporting body and pocket, said chain conveyors having lugs eXtending outwardly therefrom which during operation of the auxiliary conveyors are adapted for eXten-- sion upwardly of the top surfaces of said side rail, above the pocket provided thereby for cooperation with said main conveyor in delivering a load 'of grain to a thrash ing machine.

9. A grain feeder comprising a main conveyor, housings extending longitudinallyat the sides of said. mainconveyor open at their tops and providing facing rails at opposite sides of the main conveyor converging up wardly from the plane of the main conveyor, auxiliary conveyors operating longitudinally in said housings providing portions adapted for extension upwardly in the housings above the tops of said facing rails, and drive means for operating said main and auxiliary conveyors for cooperative transportation of` material thereon.

l0. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a feeder including a supportsaid shafts; a feeder extension including a supporting body, front and rear transverse shafts, andan endless main conveyor trained over said front and rear transverse shafts of the feeder extension; a belt connecting the front shaft of the feeder with the front shaft of the feeder extension for cooperative movement of said main conveyors; auxiliary con-l veyors at the sides of the main conveyors of said feeder and feeder extension; and means connecting said auxiliary conveyors with the main conveyors for synchronous drive of the same.

l1. A grain feeder comprising a supporting body including a floor, side rails connected longitudinally at the side edges of said floor and upwardly diverging therefrom Yto provide a pocket extending longitudinally above said floor and intermediate said side rails, brackets exteriorly carried byV saidV siderails, and guard boards carried by said brackets in spaced relation koutwardly of each of said side rails to provide housing compartments intermediate said guard boards and side rails at each side of saidsupporting body extending longitudinally thereof; main conveying means carried by said supporting body includinga shaft transversely and rotatably carried forwardly of the supporting body, a shaft transversely carried at the rear of said supporting body in adjustable manner for parallel movementl toward or away from said forwardly carried shaft, and an endless conveyor carried by said Vshafts operating ina plane vat the bottom of the pocket provided by lsaid side rails; and auxiliary conveying means carried in the compartments at each side of said main conveyor intermediate the i guard boards and side rails of said Ysupporting body, including relatively narrow7 convey'- ors, and adjustable supporting Wheels, said auxiliary conveyors being connected for operation with a transverse shaft of said main conveyor and having portionsfextending upwardly above the compartments in which they operate `above the side rails of said supporting body forcooperation inmoving 50 material longitudinally of the supporting i body with saidV main conveyor.

SANDERS VV. VCOCHRANE. 

